[Photos by Teri Totten] At left, American Legion Post 197 (l-r) commander Bill Payton Sr. and member Roy Hughley during the ceremony. Top middle, the memorial stone placed in honor of Willie “Shorty” Lee King and others who lost their lives aboard the USS Frank E. Evans. At right, Ophelia King, the wife of the late Willie Lee King watches as the memorial stone is unveiled. Bottom, two men who served aboard the USS Frank E. Evans and others salute American flag after the memorial stone was unveiled.
Meansville memorial dedicated to fallen
Around 100 family members, Pike residents and visitors honored a fallen sailor at a memorial dedication Tuesday, June 3 in the Meansville Memorial Garden. Willie “Shorty” Lee King of Meansville died in 1969 aboard the USS Frank E. Evans and a monument was dedicated in his memory at the base of the garden’s flag pole.
“As we leave here today and go about the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world, let us not forget from time to time to take a moment to remember Mr. Willie Lee King and all those who have paid for the freedoms and liberties we as Americans enjoy,” said American Legion Post 197 Commander Bill Payton Sr. “We thank Meansville, the Frank E. Evans Association and most especially the King family for giving us the opportunity to pay tribute to a man who greatly deserves to be recognized and honored.”
American Legion Post 197 and the USS Frank E. Evans (DD754) Association were instrumental in honoring King exactly 45 years after his untimely death aboard the destroyer in the south China Sea.
A special commemorative website has been created for the crew who sailed with the USS Frank E. Evans until the fateful morning of June 3, 1969 when it collided with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) and was cut in half. For more, go to ussfrankeevansassociationdd754.org.
American Legion Post 197 and the USS Frank E. Evans (DD754) Association were instrumental in honoring King exactly 45 years after his untimely death aboard the destroyer in the south China Sea.
A special commemorative website has been created for the crew who sailed with the USS Frank E. Evans until the fateful morning of June 3, 1969 when it collided with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) and was cut in half. For more, go to ussfrankeevansassociationdd754.org.
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